A fresh wave of horror deeper than any before swept their souls. “Surely he won't need to go,” he said after a pause.
“But his regiment will be going,” said Jane, whose face had become very pale and whose eyes were wide with horror. “His regiment will be going and,” she added, “he will go too.” The tears were quietly running down her face. She knew Jack Romayne and she had the courage to accept the truth which as yet her father put from his mind.
Dumb they sat, unschooled in language fitted to deal with the tides of emotion that surged round this new and overwhelming fact of war. Where next would this dread thing strike?
“Canada will doubtless send some troops,” said Dr. Brown. “We sent to South Africa, let me see, was it five thousand?”
“More, I think, Papa,” said Jane.
“We will send twice or three times that number this time,” said Mr. Murray.
And again silence fell upon them. They were each busy with the question who would go. Swiftly their minds ran over the homes of their friends and acquaintances.
“Well, Doctor,” said Mr. Murray, with a great effort at a laugh, “you can't send your boy at any rate.”
“No,” said Dr. Brown. “But if my girl had been a boy, I fear I could not hold her. Eh, Jane?” But Jane only smiled a very doubtful smile in answer.
“We may all have to go, Doctor,” said Mr. Murray. “If the war lasts long enough.”